In this episode, The Orchard Without Applause, I reflect on what it means to grow a spiritual life that no one sees but God deeply values. Drawing from Galatians 5 and John 15, we explore the fruit of the Spirit and how it's cultivated not in public triumphs but in the quiet soil of surrender, obedience, and daily faithfulness. We live in a world obsessed with metrics, steps walked, posts liked, sales won but how do we measure patience? Kindness? Self-control? We can’t and we shouldn’t try.

This isn’t a life of competition; it’s a life of cultivation. It’s learning to abide in Christ through the ordinary: being kind at a four-way stop, gentle with a difficult coworker, faithful in our marriages, patient with our kids. We don’t need applause to know the orchard is growing. We’re not chasing trophies—we’re partnering with God to become who He’s shaping us to be.

Strength doesn’t look like dominance; it looks like surrender. It’s not flashy, but it’s powerful. And the fruit? It’s eternal. Join me as we dig into the discipline, grace, and quiet joy of living a life rooted in Christ.